The foundational requirements of the biochemistry major are comparable to those of the biology and chemistry majors, including introductory biology with lab, general chemistry & general chemistry lab, organic chemistry & organic chemistry lab, calculus, and physics & physics lab.

Biochemistry majors must also complete a math/data science course

Biochemistry majors also complete a set of core courses in biology, chemistry, and biochemistry. For the biochemistry major, students must complete a minimum of 24 units of upper-level (3000+) courses, as specified below. WI courses are offered in the Chemistry and Biology Departments, which can be used to satisfy the A&S WI course requirement, but students can complete this requirement with any A&S WI course.

NOTES: ¹Chem4020: Physical Chemistry II can be used instead of Chem4090 with Chem4010: Physical Chemistry I counting as an advanced elective. The Physical Chemistry courses must be taken in residence. Math 2130: Calc III is a pre-requisite for Chem4010.

NOTES:   ¹Current biology and chemistry undergraduate research courses are listed and can be used for the major; however, a future course (Biochem495X: Independent Biochemistry Research) will be established for the major.

Biochemistry majors (like all biology and chemistry majors) are encouraged to participate in research during the academic year.  The Independent Research options are for students conducting research in a faculty lab on either the Danforth or Medical School campuses.  Up to 6 units count toward advanced electives, as well as for Latin and/or Biochemistry Program Honors.  Many students also receive support for summer research through multiple internal undergraduate research fellowships.  As noted, above a new independent study course Biochem4950 will become the independent study course for the major.

To qualify for Latin Honors through the biochemistry major, a student must meet the following requirements.  For requirements 1-2, only courses taken at Washington University are considered.

1. Maintain a 3.30 GPA in all biology and chemistry, foundational, and math coursework.
2. Overall 3.65 GPA average
3. Completion of at least six units of independent research

For Biochemistry Program Honors, a student will complete the above Latin Honors requirements AND a Research Capstone (the Biochemistry Capstone is TBD).  Initially, the capstone will be defined as follows:

1. A paper written in the style of a scientific article for a professional journal (i.e., senior thesis for Bio495X) OR a research presentation to an undergraduate thesis committee (Chem4950)
2. Presentation of undergraduate research in the form of either a poster or short talk at the OUR Undergraduate Research Symposium (or an external meeting/conference).
3. Mentor's letter certifying acceptability of the thesis/CHEM 4950 and student symposium presentation.

Although student declaration of major and assignment of major advisors will be managed by the Chemistry Department, faculty advisors from both departments support the joint major. Students will be assigned (or can request) one of the following advisors:

Biology: April Bednarski, Wilhelm Cruz, Ram Dixit, Joseph Jez, Barbara Kunkel, Himadri Pakrasi, Anthony Smith, Craig Smith, Jennifer Wang, Corey Westfall, Hani Zaher, Xuehua Zhong.

Chemistry: Jen Heemstra, John Heemstra, Meredith Jackrel, Yusuke Okuno, Gary Patti, Courtney Reichhardt, Bill Spees, Tim Wencewicz., Yan Yu.

1) I have not declared any major and would like to become a biochemistry major, what should I do?  Do I need to wait until Fall 2026 to declare the major?

All students need to wait until FL26 to declare the new biochemistry major.  As you need to declare a major as the February deadline approaches, you should identify a 'current' major and specialization in either biology or chemistry. THEN in FL26, switch into the new biochemistry major.  NOTE: you will be assigned an advisor in either major and that faculty member will remain your major advisor in the biochemistry major.

2) I am currently a biology/chemistry major with a biochemistry specialization, do I need to declare the new major?

You do not need to declare the new major. You can finish the current curriculum.  However, depending on how far along you are in the current curriculum, you can switch into the new biochemistry major in FL26 if you choose to. NOTE:  your current major advisor will become your biochemistry major advisor.

3) Can I switch out of the new biochemistry major into another major?

Yes.  Because the structure of the biochemistry major is similar to that of the biology and chemistry majors, it is possible to change between the three options.  However, depending on progress and the timing of a change, be sure to consult with your major advisor for best options.

4) Will I be able to pursue minors (such as Bioinformatics) that the biology and/or chemistry majors do not allow?

Yes, because the new major is separate from the biology and chemistry majors; this allows biochemistry majors greater flexibility.  Remember that courses for a minor do not count toward a major (and vice versa).

5) Can I use Study Abroad courses to satisfy requirements of the biochemistry major?

Yes.  Current study abroad programs for both biology and chemistry can provide options to satisfy requirements for the biochemistry major. It is strongly advised to consult with advisors and/or DUS as soon as possible to discuss study abroad plans.

*Students taking Chem 1601 and/or Chem 1602 should consult with the Chemistry Director of Undergraduate Studies (Prof. Richard Mabbs, mabbs@wustl.edu)

**Math 2801 Honors Mathematics I may replace both Math 1510 Calculus I and Math 1520 Calculus II. Math 2802 Honors Mathematics II may replace Math 2130 Calculus III. 

*** Physics 1760 Focused Physics I may replace Physics 1740 Physics I, Physics 1762 Focused Physics II may replace Physics 1742 Physics II

Students have the advantage of planning their course program with their adviser in accordance with personal interests. Some graduate courses also are available to seniors. All chemistry coursework must be taken in residence at Washington University to be eligible to earn a chemistry major. A minimum grade of C- must be earned in each course to count toward the chemistry major.

Note: Per the College of Arts & Sciences guidelines, if a student has a major and a minor or has two minors, only introductory (1000- and 2000-level) courses may be counted, when relevant, toward the requirements of both programs. All advanced (3000- and 4000-level) courses must be unique to each program, i.e. no advanced course may “double-count” for the coursework needed to fulfill either program’s minimal requirements. Should a student’s major/minor programs require the same course, a departmentally sanctioned elective must be chosen to replace the course in one of the programs.

In an effort to develop an annual program evaluation in cooperation with the Higher Learning Commission, the Chemistry Department offers an exit interview and an exit exam to all graduating seniors. All graduating majors are required to sit for the exam, the ACS Diagnostic of Undergraduate Knowledge in Chemistry exam. It takes one hour and includes questions with multiple choice answers. The performance on this exam does not affect the student’s transcript of GPA. The exam is tentatively scheduled for the week of Commencement each Spring.

*Students taking Chem 1601 and/or Chem 1602 should consult with the Chemistry Director of Undergraduate Studies (Prof. Richard Mabbs, mabbs@wustl.edu)

**Math 2801 Honors Mathematics I may replace both Math 1510 Calculus I and Math 1520 Calculus II. Math 2802 Honors Mathematics II may replace Math 2130 Calculus III. 

*** Physics 1760 Focused Physics I may replace Physics 1740 Physics I, Physics 1762 Focused Physics II may replace Physics 1742 Physics II

All chemistry course work must be taken in residence at Washington University to be eligible to earn a chemistry major. A minimum grade of C- must be earned in each course to count toward the chemistry major.

Note: Per the College of Arts & Sciences guidelines, if a student has a major and a minor or has two minors, only introductory (1000- and 2000-level) courses may be counted, when relevant, toward the requirements of both programs. All advanced (3000- and 4000-level) courses must be unique to each program, i.e. no advanced course may “double-count” for the coursework needed to fulfill either program’s minimal requirements. Should a student’s major/minor programs require the same course, a departmentally sanctioned elective must be chosen to replace the course in one of the programs.

In an effort to develop an annual program evaluation in cooperation with the Higher Learning Commission, the Chemistry Department offers an exit interview and an exit exam to all graduating seniors. All graduating majors are required to sit for the exam, the ACS Diagnostic of Undergraduate Knowledge in Chemistry exam. It takes one hour and includes questions with multiple choice answers. The performance on this exam does not affect the student’s transcript of GPA. The exam is tentatively scheduled for the week of Commencement each Spring.

Latin Honors are determined on the basis of a student’s performance through eight semesters in college. To be eligible for Latin Honors, the student must have maintained a 3.65 GPA and must complete the Latin Honors curriculum in Chemistry.
 

The Latin Honors Curriculum for the Regular Chemistry major requires the completion of a second advanced chemistry lab. There are three pools of laboratories, students must choose a lab from two of the three pools. Physical Lab Pool (Chem 4035, Chem 4079). Synthetic Chemistry Lab Pool (Chem 4559, Chem 4670/4679, Chem 4570/4579), Biochemistry lab pool (Chem 4851, Biol 4522, Biol 4523).

The Latin Honors Curriculum for Chemistry: Biochemistry Concentration majors requires completion of an additional 3 units of advanced biochemistry or biological chemistry course credit. Courses may be chosen from the following list: Biol 3340, Biol 3490, Chem 4090, Chem 4830/4839, Chem 4821, Chem 4831, Chem 4833, Chem 4842, Chem 5841, or a second advanced laboratory from Chem 4559, Chem 4035, Chem 4079, Chem 4670/4679, Chem 4570/4579, Chem 4851, Biol 4522, or Biol 4523.

Departmental or “English” honors are awarded by the Chemistry Department for the successful completion of a rigorous program of study in Chemistry, which emphasizes research as an important part of Chemistry education. 

To earn Chemistry Department honors, a student must first complete the Latin Honors Curriculum and must also achieve the following:

*for students with alternate research experiences, petitions will be considered Chemistry research is defined as a research project performed under the direction of a Chemistry faculty member or a research project approved by the Chemistry Undergraduate Work Committee. The Chemistry GPA is calculated from the grades received in Chemistry courses and Chemistry prerequisites (including lower-level Chemistry courses, Math, Physics, and Biology (if pursuing the Biochemistry Focused major). The level of Department Honors a student achieves will appear on the student’s final transcript.

A student planning to complete a minor in Chemistry must take the following foundations

* Students taking Chem 1601 and/or Chem 1602 should consult with the Chemistry Director of Undergraduate Studies (Prof. Richard Mabbs, mabbs@wustl.edu)
** Math 2801 can replace both Math 1510 and 1520
*** Phys 1760 can replace Phys 1740
**** Phys 1762 can replace Phys 1742